Mothering Magazine's Having a Baby, Naturally: The Mothering Magazine Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth

I am more than half way through this book in less than a week. Excellent, informative, and empowering, are the first things i think of when it come to this book. This is the first natural childbirth book i have read so far & even though I plan to read as much as I can before giving birth, i am confident that this book will be among the most helpful.

I received this book as a gift and it has become one of my favorite prenatal books so far. I've read the book cover to cover because it was so extremely interesting and very comprehensive that I couldn't put it down! It covers all the questions I've had as a first-timer in a very thorough way. Even moms who've given birth before can learn alot by all the info provided by this book. Basically the book will discuss a topic such as episiotomies by explaining the history of them and how they originated, what your experience is and what the risks are, in what instances might they occur, how to avoid one (a list of things to do beforehand), and if you do tear naturally what happens next. I like how when it discusses what an Ultrasound is, it not only explains what it is, but how it works, what your experience will be like on the table, how safe it is based on studies available, how useful it is during pregnancy, and when it is unnecessary. This is how the book covers all the topics: in a very thorough way. Other highlights for me were the statistics provided with the supporting info. For example, it will say that you need 27mg of Iron and then will list food choices and serving sizes to achieve that. I love how remedies are always provided for common prenatal concerns such as nausea, poor self-image, labor fears, sexuality, post-partum, etc. The book discusses sexuality and then gives you a list of ideas to help with issues you may be experiencing. It also sprinkles a couple illustrations of stretches or poses that are helpful during pregnancy with directions. I also love the side boxes throughout the book that give little tips like how to squat, aromatherapy, pregnancy affirmations to say each day, natural soothers, etc. It takes the fear out of pregnancy by providing so much useful and practical information for anyone who is planning on being pregnant, those that are supporting a pregnant partner, and those that are actually pregnant. I just can't imagine NOT having this book, it's an invaluable resource for me. I have too many questions and fears and this book seemed to answer them and calm me down. Other books I highly recommend are the "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" (Goer/Wheeler) midwife perspective that discusses the pros and cons of typical medical intervention, and my weekly favorite "Your Pregnancy Week by Week" (2004, Dr. Glade Curtis OBGYN/Judith Schuler) And incredible book that tells what parts of the baby are developing each week, as well as an actual size illustration of your baby's size, changes in yourself, and other important info each week.

This book was recommended to me by a friend who had a baby a year ago. As it's my first pregnancy, i found this book to be so helpful along the way. I love that it's broken down my trimester. It provides so much information from what questions to ask to what the medical studies really say about the safety and neccessity of various treatments. I also enjoy the yoga and fitness components in the book as well as the aromotherapy and body oil suggestions. It's definately a great book for those expecting who want to know all the facts to make a decision about how natural they'd like to make their birthing experience. I'm going to see my doctor today and can't wait to get a bunch of questions answered!

Diehard Mothering readers might think this book is a little too mainstream, but I think it's very valuable for people who are learning about the concept of natural childbirth and evaluating all their options. It gives a detailed analysis of the risks involved with everyday interventions and encourages birthing mothers to be fully informed before submitting to them. It offers suggestions for natural remedies, yoga postures, meditation, and natural comfort measures while in labor, and even mentions that you might use a midwife and birth at home. However, the book also assumes that you might feel more comfortable delivering in a hospital -- without making you feel guilty about that choice. I came away from this book feeling positive about being pregnant, not nervous or worried like after reading "What To Expect...". I think it does a good job of debunking many of today's obstetrical myths and gives new moms courage to ask questions. My first birth was totally natural, in a hospital. I just finished reading this a month into my second pregnancy. It validates the ideas I had the first time around and gives me even more resolve to pursue a drug-free, interventionless birth again.

I've read 3 other books about natural birth and so far this one is the best. I plan to have my baby naturally but I don't want to be influenced by bias opinion about hospital birth. This book gives me clear idea about what to expect, positive and negative of each subject. It covers a lot of different topics and very easy to read. The birth stories and the little tips that you'll find here and there are very helpful. In overall, this book feels more updated compared to Ina May's book, which I think is good book but quite uncomfortable to read in some parts. If you plan to just read one book, get this one. I got this from the library and plan to buy a copy to keep, reread and have it with us during labor.